The Most Comfortable and Best Basketball Shorts For Men and Women

Are you prepared to wear uncomfortable shorts while playing basketball? I doubt that you are which is why you need the best basketball shorts right now. What type of basketball shorts is right for you? A good pair of shorts can be a lifesaver for a competitive and adept player. So why should you expect any less from them?

Best Basketball Shorts to Choose (Comparison & In-Depth Reviews)

I’m here to help you find the best basketball shorts. Who knows what you’ll find at a reasonable price? So don’t give up just yet. Check out this comparison table followed by the in-depth reviews of the best pair you’ll ever see.

Best Basketball Shorts for Women (Top 5 Picks)

NAME

PRICE

MATERIAL

Champro Womens Basketball Jersey Polyester Shorts

$

Polyester

Badger Women’s 5” Athletic Cut Tricot Liner Mesh Short

$

Mesh

Alleson Athletic Women’s Long Basketball Shorts

$$

Nylon

Champion Women’s Field Short

$$

Polyester

Under Armour Women’s UA Double Short

$$$

Mesh

1. Champro Womens Basketball Jersey Polyester Shorts

You can’t do your best with the worst basketball shorts on the market. You have to upgrade to something comfortable and durable. And there’s no doubt that these best basketball shorts are cut out for you.

The Champro Jersey Shorts are polyester and proud. With 18 different style options, only two words fit the function of these shorts. Those words are comfortable and long-lasting.

The long fit is the much-needed size you need for better mobility. Not to forget, it reduces sweating and blisters after a rough training session.

You can keep these best basketball shorts in mind when you want something durable and comfortably lightweight. What they’re not good for, however, is for short players.

Things We Liked:

Smooth snag-resistant material.

The elastic waistband features a tight drawstring.

Things We Don’t Like:

Not the best training shorts for short players.

2. Badger Women’s 5” Athletic Cut Tricot Liner Mesh Short

There are all kinds of competitive training shorts for women. But you don’t want just any training shorts; you want something specific to basketball. You want shorts that are not only comfortable to wear but practical.

The Badger Athletic Cut Shorts are in favor of all your needs. These shorts are polyester with an elastic waistband and drawstrings. Consider buying these best basketball shorts for support.

The superior athletic cut and fit make all the difference. Don’t believe me? Go check out its favorite customer feedback to know what I’m talking. If these mesh shorts isn’t a big deal, then nothing is!

I recommend you buy a size larger than your usual size.

Things We Liked:

These shorts give you plenty of room to move around.

Suitable for hot weather.

Things We Don’t Like:

The size is a bit large.

3. Alleson Athletic Women’s Long Basketball Shorts

You never have to have an “Oh crap, this is too tight!” moment ever again! With these best basketball shorts, you get to chose the right size and the perfect style! What’s more? It falls right under the category of “Look how affordable it is!”

The Alleson Athletic Long Basketball Shorts never want you to buy cheap again. You need to buy these comfortable and lightweight shorts. It has the right fit and shapes for training.

What it’s even better for than others is the length. These basketball shorts are long and proud of it. If you want something that fits your height, no matter how tall you are, these fit the bill perfectly.

However, some might say a pair of shorts this long should have pockets. The Alleson Basketball Shorts don’t.

Things We Don’t Like:

5. Under Armour Women’s UA Double Shorts

What makes the Under Armour so good is the excellent customer feedback and high-quality designs. It’s not so easy to look for shorts for women that are both long and breathable. And Under Armour does it again!

These Double Shorts are comfy, long-lasting, and breathable. Not to forget, these shorts look good! The unique pinhole design offers excellent ventilation for heavy players. And by that, I mean women who play rough and sweat a lot!

Sweating is never a bad thing but not when you’re about to play a competitive match. And losing is not an option. So who better to rely on than Under Armour? These best basketball shorts have the right fit, size, and look to go with your entire outfit!

As for the downside, these basketball shorts don’t have pockets.

Things We Liked:

The pin-hole design boosts breathability.

The super-soft material is anti-odor and moisture-wicking.

Things We Don’t Like:

It doesn’t have any deep-set pockets.

Best Basketball Shorts for Men (Top 5 Picks)

NAME

PRICE

MATERIAL

Amazon Essentials Men’s 2-Pack Loose-Fit Performance Shorts

$

Polyester

Champion Men’s Long Mesh Shorts

$$

Polyester

Under Armour Men’s Raid Shorts

$$

Polyester

NIKE Men’s Layup Shorts

$$

Polyester

Spalding Mens Active Athletic Basketball Gym Shorts

$$$

Polyester

1. Amazon Essentials Men’s 2-Pack Loose-Fit Performance Shorts

You don’t have to be told what to buy after looking at these best basketball shoes. You can run, train, and jump in them. You can stretch, warm up, and compete in them.

The Amazon Essentials Performance Shorts are suitable when you want something inexpensive. These shorts fit perfectly well for short and tall players. It ends right above the knee which is a must for basketball players.

The tiny mesh holes improve breathability for hot and sweaty players. The loose fit works well around the thigh muscles while the drawstring is secure around the waist.

However, a slight issue with the pockets is that they’re not properly aligned. So don’t keep anything in them until after you train.

Things We Don’t Like:

2. Champion Men’s Long Mesh Shorts

Apart from comfort, what else is an essential factor for the best basketball shorts? It’s breathability and adjustability. They’re designed for players who plan on winning a game.

The mesh and polyester blend make all the difference. It improves adjustability for short to tall players. And it boosts air circulation from inside out to prevent chafing and blisters.

The elastic waistband with the drawstring closure is impressive. It means you get a loose and baggy fit while the waistband stays where it’s supposed to. So you can concentrate on the game and not on the shorts.

As for the drawbacks, these shorts lack durability. They don’t last as long as the rest which means they’re good for a few months of use.

Things We Liked:

Lightweight and machine-washable fabric.

The covered elastic waistband feels comfy.

Things We Don’t Like:

Not the best durable pair for basketball players.

3. Under Armour Men’s Raid Shorts

Do you want basketball shorts that stay dry? Nobody likes a damp pair of shorts – and more importantly, nobody likes it to keep up that way during a game. These best basketball shorts are not built for such a fallacy!

The Under Armour Raid Shorts are super-dry and superior. The polyester is well-equipped with HeatGear technology to reduce wetness in both looks and feel. Plus, it makes the texture of the fabric incredibly soft and light.

Cushiony as it may be, these basketball shorts are durable too. With UPF protection, they protect your sensitive skin from harsh sun rays. What more do you need in a handsome pair of basketball shorts?

One thing that didn’t quite gel with me was the lack of ventilation. It doesn’t have ventilated holes at the sides which is a huge let down given how comfortable these shorts are.

Things We Liked:

Things We Don’t Like:

4. NIKE Men’s Layup Shorts

Did you think I would mention the best basketball shorts and not give NIKE a try? These men’s shorts are superior and smooth. A tough combination to beat when you want something at a reasonable price.

The NIKE Men’s Layup is a polyester pair with a unique pinstripe knit. It comes with a personally-tailored drawstring design to improve fit. Plus, the pockets on the sides are much more comfy and roomy than the others.

So these best basketball shorts are convenience and performance packed in one! What they’re not is durable to wear daily. These shorts last for a few months since the material is light and very breathable.

Things We Liked:

One of the most good-looking basketball shorts.

The deep-set pockets feel comfortable.

Things We Don’t Like:

The thin material lacks durability.

5. Spalding Mens Active Athletic Basketball Gym Shorts

You won’t believe how well Spalding has been leading the apparel business, specifically for basketball. These best basketball shorts are a good example for it.

The Spalding Active Athletic Basketball Gym Shorts are more for heavy training than anything else. Basketball players don’t just play basketball. Professional players have to do heavy-lifting, cardio, stretching, and lots of other exercises to train.

The polyester fabric of these shorts keeps the air flowing while improving stamina. The material is quick to dry and easy to wash. Plus, you won’t complain about sweating or odor while wearing them.

However, what they’re not suitable for tall men unless they don’t mind wearing something underneath for extra protection.

Things We Liked:

Comfortable and breathable to wear.

It stretches well around the waist.

Things We Don’t Like:

You need to wear something underneath.

Buying Guide – How to Find the Best Basketball Shorts in 2018

Once you’ve decided you need to buy the correct basketball gear, a good pair of shorts is not too far away.

To have a better sense of what you’re buying, I’ve made a point of all the crucial factors you need to consider before finalizing a purchase. These factors should give you a good sense of what to look for.

Size

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say – basketball shorts? Most of you might have thought either size or comfort. And you’re right!

Basketball shorts, over the years, have transitioned from tight to slightly loose to baggy. A pair of tight basketball shorts is now considered small and uncomfortable while baggy shorts are the right size and cushiony. What do you think?

As for the length, they’ve become longer than what they used to be back in the days. A pair of long shorts is ideal for basketball because it allows for a better range of movement. Basketball players can jump, turn, dribble, and dunk easily.

Material

Material = comfort

Nothing beats this equation in regards to basketball players. An uncomfortable material can cause blisters, sweating, and heat. Plus, basketball players want a breathable material to absorb sweat. It is necessary to keep the shorts light and dry.

Based on my research, you need to choose either cotton or polyester shorts for basketball:

Cotton shorts are often flexible and hypoallergenic. Flexible can also mean soft and comfortable while hypoallergenic can also mean secure and odor-free.

Polyester shorts have stronger sweat and moisture-wicking properties than cotton. It is because polyester is human-made and has a unique blend of mesh. Mesh keeps the material from locking in moisture which can cause itching, sweating, and skin irritation.

Waistband

Without a waistband, there’s no way basketball shorts could keep the shorts around the waist. It’s the first feature of basketball shorts that need to be right because if it’s not, you’re in big trouble!

There are two main types of waistband to look for: straight waistbands and elastic waistbands.

Straight waistbands come with drawstrings that need tying up. You can make them as tight or loose as you want based on your comfort. But if you’re jumping around a lot, tying the drawstrings tight is the only way to go.

I do not recommend buying elastic waistbands without the drawstring. Such shorts can easily slip off while you’re playing a rough game. The elastic sits well around your waist while the drawstrings tighten the grip of the elastic surrounding it.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

Many people want to know whether pockets in basketball shorts are necessary. They aren’t, but they are useful for storing essentials during basketball practice. Essentials such as a handy face napkin to wipe the sweat tears away or a lucky charm you like carrying around for good luck. It can be anything.

A great addition to basketball shorts can be zipper pockets. These pockets are generally thicker and broader. So you can jump around and what’s inside the pocket stays there. You wouldn’t want people to know what’s in your pocket, now do you?

If you’re anything like me, comfort is critical. So is the inner lining the most comfortable thing? That depends on the material and fit of the basketball shorts. A wrong internal lining material can restrict movement and cause sweating. But if you choose a material like polyester, it’s far more breathable than other materials.

A useful marker for a lousy pair of basketball shorts is weight and feel. If your shorts feel heavy and damp after an hour of playing, throw them out right now.

People say that buying guides make life uncomplicated. Whatever product you choose, there’s a straightforward way to buy it. And my ten recommendations plus an informative buying guide will make you re-think your apparel buying process.

It can’t be that simple to choose a pair of best basketball shorts. You have to consider price, size, color, and material all at the same time. I want to make this work for you. And an excellent way to do that is to refer to this simple and to the point guide.